4 NGOs demand independent inquiry into MeECL irregularities

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 7, 2021

The four pressure groups have demanded the Conrad K Sangma-led state government to institute an independent inquiry to probe into the alleged corruption in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).

“An independent enquiry should be constituted to investigate the alleged corruption in the MeECL by different quarters,” the NGOs said in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday.

The four NGOs include Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People, Khasi Students’ Union, Hynniewtrep National Youth Front and Ri Bhoi Youth Federation.

Opposing the MeECL’s move to outsource 56 of 33/11 KV sub-stations to an outside company – M/s Broadcasting Engineering Consultants India Limited from Noida, the NGOs demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Letter of Intent (LOI) issued to the outside company and the restoration of the previous norms followed before.

They said such an irrational move would incur huge loss to the already financially devastated MeECL adding outsourcing of the sub stations would subsequently lead to total blockage of employment of local youths in the hundreds which will further complicate the already rising unemployment scenario in the state.

The four social organizations have further demanded the state government to immediately remove non-local advisers to the Chief Manager cum Director of the MeECL, Arunkumar Kembhavi.

Terming such appointments as illogical owing to the fact that there are numerous well experienced officers from the MeECL and the state, they said, “(We) demand the immediate removal of Manish Gupta, Arkajyoti Bhattacharjee and Sunny Kumar Singh from their current positions. Similarly, the social organisations are aware that certain officers are more senior than the recently appointed Director of Distribution (MePDCL) to take up that post. In this context, we seek the appointment of an eligible and a deserving officer in place of MK Chettri.”

Regarding the much-talked about Saubhagya Scheme, the NGOs have demanded an immediate rectification of all the anomalies transpiring with regards to the implementation of the said scheme.

“The notion of total electrification of the state brings a ray of hope to everyone, especially those in villages and far-flung areas where electricity is a distant dream.

However, to the utmost dismay of everyone, we are yet to see the actual progress of the scheme in many parts of the state till date. It has come to light that a company from outside the state, viz, Satnam Global Infrastructures Limited was tasked with the electrification under the said scheme thereby depriving local contractors of the state. It has also come to the public knowledge that initially the scheme was estimated at 421 crores but was later increased by a manifold to 931.34 crores,” they stated.

Also registering strong opposition against the manner in which the Smart meter project is being initiated, the NGOs said The rate for installation of such a meter is extremely high compared to other states.

“Similarly, since the project depends on the network connectivity provided by phones’ service providers. The project would create numerous problems to the public owing to the poor network connectivity experience by the state,” they said.

Stating that the special tariff to the Byrnihat Industries Association (BIA) is highly objectionable in view of the impending crisis prevailing in the MeECL which will ultimately led to more loss in the revenue of the corporation, they said, “We urge the Government to revoke the said special tariff.”

Referring to recent RTI findings which revealed that approximately Rs 98 crores is yet to be paid by the different Industrial estates and others in the state, the NGOs said that the government should take stringent action against such defaulters.

Meanwhile, the social organizations have also sought the intervention of the CM into the need to fill up numerous vacancies existing in the MeECL through proper advertisements and conduct of examinations and interviews.

“…swift intervention from your office is of utmost necessity so as to rectify the various anomalies occurring within the MeECL which badly hits the general public before it escalates into a law and-order problem,” they warned.